Hoërskool Dr. EG Jansen athlete Ruan Bronkhorst recently set a new personal best in the high jump, winning double gold in Italy.
The lanky jumper leaped over 1.92m to claim the green, white and red-striped Reggie Emilia gold medal during the Soncini Games, slashing his previous personal best of 1.86m.
His first gold, where he matched his then personal best of 1.86m, was won at a club event, also in Italy, two days before the Games.
Bronkhorst was selected to be part of the South African team that travelled to Italy after a Gauteng districts meeting and multiple training camps, where he impressed and thus secured his ticket to the home of the Colosseum.
His coach, Sonette Sanders, says Bronkhorst’s next mark is the big 2m height.
Quizzed on his achievement at the Games, the u-15 jumper said: “It was something amazing. When I went over the bar, it felt like I was flying. I just want to give God all the glory.”
School meetings are due to follow after September, and a club competition in Germiston in between.
Coach Sanders added that her athlete’s latest scoop came down to a lot of hard work.
“He’s been dedicated and committed throughout the year for this achievement,” said the seasoned athletics trainer.
“When everybody else was having a break, he was training; that shows a positive attitude towards the sport.
“We have a three-year goal which we’re working towards. We are looking at him jumping 2.05m by March next year.”
During the club event, Bronkhorst competed against u-17s and seniors, as opposed to the Games, where he competed in his u-15 category.
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